Easy-access adhesive-backed fastener system

ABSTRACT

An article and method for providing a reclosable opening in a preexisting sheet are disclosed. The article includes at least one adhesive-backed strip with one half of an interlockable fastening system such as a zipper carried along one edge thereof. The article may also include a second adhesive-backed strip having the complementary half of the interlockable fastening system along an edge thereof. The adhesive-backed strips are positioned on either side of a slit in the pre-existing sheet such that the halves of the interlockable fastening system can be selectively engaged by a user, thus providing a reclosable opening in the preexisting sheet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to an adhesive-backed closure means that can be applied in situ to a preexisting sheet having a slit formed therein to thereby render the slit or opening reclosable. Thus, the invention provides easy access through openings in sheets and the like while allowing the barrier function of the sheet to be substantially restored once there is no longer a current need for access through the openings.

[0003] 2. Brief Description of the Related Art

[0004] Fastener systems that provide a closure along the length of the opposing edges of an opening are known. Examples of such systems include zippers and systems having interlocking elongated male and female portions such as those found on ZIPLOC® bags. The latter type of fastener system can be found both with and without a slide. Examples of known fastener systems can be seen in the following patents.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,954, issued to Ronal L. Ramsey on Jul. 7, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,570, issued to Charles C. Thorpe et al. on Nov. 10, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,877, issued to Charles C. Thorpe et al. on Aug. 3, 1999, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,134, issued to Art Malin on Feb. 6, 2001, show food packages having fastener systems of the type having interlocking elongated male and female portions. These fastener systems are applied to the packages at the time of manufacture using heat bonding.

[0006] The known reclosable fastening systems suffer from the drawback that they must be applied during the manufacture of the item of which they are a part. Furthermore, the known reclosable fastening systems suffer the additional drawback that they require tools for their application to a given article. The need persists in the art for a fastening system that can be applied by an end-user without using tools to a preexisting item such as a sheet of plastic or a plastic bag that was not provided with a reclosable fastener means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is directed to an article and method for providing a reclosable opening in a preexisting sheet. The article includes at least one adhesive-backed strip with one half of an interlockable fastening system such as a zipper carried along one edge thereof. The article may also include a second adhesive-backed strip having the complementary half of the interlockable fastening system along an edge thereof. The adhesive-backed strips are positioned on either side of a slit in the preexisting sheet such that the halves of the interlockable fastening system can be selectively engaged by a user, thus providing a reclosable opening in the preexisting sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is an environmental view of an embodiment of an adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system in accordance with the present invention showing the adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system applied to the insulating sheet over a window equipped with an in-window air-conditioner unit.

[0009]FIG. 2 is an environmental view of an embodiment of an adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system in accordance with the present invention showing the adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system applied to the insulating sheet over a window.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of an adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system in accordance with the present invention showing the reclosable fastener system in the closed configuration.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a rear view of an embodiment of an adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system in accordance with the present invention showing the reclosable fastener system in the closed configuration and the release liner partially lifted.

[0012]FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of an adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system in accordance with the present invention showing the reclosable fastener system in the open configuration.

[0013]FIG. 6 is an environmental view of an embodiment of an adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system in accordance with the present invention showing the adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system applied to a plastic sheet covering a doorway.

[0014]FIG. 7 is an environmental view of an embodiment of an adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system in accordance with the present invention showing the adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system applied to a plastic sheet being used to partition a building structure.

[0015]FIG. 8 is a view of a zipper slide having pulls on both sides for use with an adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system in accordance with the present invention showing the zipper slide in side elevation.

[0016] Like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, an illustrative example of an article according to the present invention that is useful in providing a reclosable opening in a preexisting item can be seen. The illustrated embodiment 100 of the present invention includes a first strip portion 102, a second strip portion 104, a first transverse portion 106, and a second transverse portion 108. The first strip portion 102 has a first edge 110, a second edge 112, and a backside 114. A first interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system 116 is provided at or near the first edge 110 of the first strip portion 102 and is substantially coextensive with the first edge 110 of the first strip portion 102. An adhesive substantially covers the entire backside 114 of the first strip portion 102.

[0018] The second strip portion 104 has a first edge 118, a second edge 120, and a backside 122. The backside 122 of the second strip portion 104 is substantially covered by adhesive. A second interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system 124 is provided at or near the first edge 118 of the second strip portion 104 and is substantially coextensive with the first edge 118 of the second strip portion 104. The first interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system 116 is selectively engageable with the second interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system 124 to thereby allow the first edge 110 of the first strip portion 102 to be selectively secured in a closed configuration relative to the first edge 118 of the second strip portion 104.

[0019] The first interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system 116 and the second interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system 124 form complementary portions of a reclosable fastener system such as zippers, hook-and-loop type fastener systems (also known as VELCRO®), or systems having interlocking elongated male and female portions such as those found on ZIPLOC® bags. The reclosable fastener system can be either of a type that is normally operated with a slide or of a type that can be operated without a slide. In the illustrated example, the reclosable fastener system is a zipper and the first interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system 116 and the second interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system 124 are complementary sets of zipper teeth distributed proximate the respective edges 110 and 118. The zipper teeth may be of either the plastic or the metal varieties. In the illustrated embodiment, a zipper slide 126 is provided to allow a user to selectively engage or disengage the first interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system 116 and the second interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system 124 relative to one another. Preferably, when the first interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system 116 and the second interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system 124 are in the closed configuration the edges 110 and 118 are secured relative to one another substantially along their entire lengths. Therefore, the edges 110 and 118 are preferably substantially of equal length. The zipper slide 126 is in engagement with at least one of the first plurality of zipper teeth 116 and with at least one of the second plurality of zipper teeth 124. As the zipper slide 126 is moved toward a closed position more of the first plurality of zipper teeth 116 are interlocked with more of the second plurality of zipper teeth 124. As the zipper slide 126 is moved to the open position an increasing number of the first plurality of zipper teeth 116 are disengaged from the second plurality of zipper teeth 124. The zipper slide 126 is moved in one direction to place the edges 110 and 118 in a closed configuration and in the opposite direction to place the edges 110 and 118 in an open configuration. The zipper slide 126 can be provided with a pull 130 to provide a user with a convenient surface to grasp to thereby facilitate moving of the zipper slide by the user.

[0020] Each of the first strip portion 102 and the second strip portion 104 has a first end and a second end. The first transverse portion 106 extends between the first end of the first strip portion 102 and the first end of the second strip portion 104. The second transverse portion 108 extends between the second end of the first strip portion 102 and the second end of the second strip portion 104. The first edge 110 of the first strip portion 102 and the first edge 118 of the second strip portion 104 extend substantially from the first transverse portion 106 to the second transverse portion 108. The first strip portion 102, the second strip portion 104, the first transverse portion 106, and the second transverse portion 108 cooperatively form a frame surrounding an elongated opening 128. The edges 110 and 118 form opposite sides or edges of the opening 128 and are of substantially the same length as the opening 128. The first strip portion 102, the second strip portion 104, the first transverse portion 106, and the second transverse portion 108 are preferably made of flexible sheet material such as cloth, plastic or polymeric sheets or films, and woven and non-woven fabrics.

[0021] The first interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system 116 and the second interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system 124 are supported by the frame formed by the first strip portion 102, the second strip portion 104, the first transverse portion 106, and the second transverse portion 108 such that access through the opening 128 is permitted when the fastener portions 116 and 124 are in the open configuration and access through the opening 128 is substantially prevented when the fastener portions 116 and 124 are in the closed configuration. In some embodiments it may be desirable for the fastener portions 116 and 124 to longitudinally extend beyond the opening 128. Thus, any small gaps at the ends of the fastener portions 116 and 124 when they are in the closed configuration, such as might remain after the slide 126 is moved to the closed position, will not be over the opening 128 and will be shielded or covered by portions of the transverse portions 106 and 108.

[0022] The first strip portion 102, the second strip portion 104, the first transverse portion 106, and the second transverse portion 108 together can be of one-piece construction. As one alternative, the strip portions 102 and 104 can have extended portions at either end and the transverse portions 106 and 108 can be adhered over those extended portions.

[0023] Similar to the backsides of the strip portions 102 and 104, in the illustrated embodiment, the backsides of the transverse portions 106 and 108 are also covered by adhesive over substantially their entire area. The term adhesive as used herein encompasses any substance or material that is normally sticky and readily adheres to a surface that is brought into contact with it. The expressions “adhesive covered” or “covered by adhesive” as used herein includes both surfaces that have been coated by an adhesive substance and those surfaces that are inherently sticky as a result of their structure, chemistry or processing. The term adhesive as used herein includes adhesives that are sticky and may require at least some pressure to ensure good adhesion between surfaces.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, a release liner 132 is provided which substantially covers all of the adhesive surfaces on the backsides of the first strip portion 102, the second strip portion 104, the first transverse portion 106, and the second transverse portion 108. The release liner 132 can be of one piece construction or it can have multiple sections. The release liner 132 can also be provided with one or more pull tabs for easy removal. The release liner 132 protects the adhesive from deterioration until the adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system 100 is ready to be used. In addition, the release liner 132 prevents the adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system 100 from sticking to surfaces where it is not desired to apply the adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system 100.

[0025] To illustrate the application of the adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system 100, it is instructive to consider a window insulator sheet 138 applied over a window 140. Such window insulator sheets are commonly used to encapsulate a window and thereby keep out drafts in wintertime. This type of insulator sheet significantly reduces heating costs. The adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system 100 can be used to provide a reclosable opening in the insulator sheet 138. The release liner 132 is removed and then the adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system 100 is applied to a portion of the surface of the insulator sheet 138. With the zipper open, a razor blade 142 can then be used to cut an opening in the sheet 138 that is in registry with and approximately has the dimensions of the opening 128. Optional tabs 134 and 136 can be held by one hand as the insulator sheet 138 is being cut so as not to unduly stress the insulator sheet particularly near the edges of the window frame. The tabs 134 and 136 do not have adhesive backing so that they may stand off from the insulator sheet 138 for easy grasping. Once the opening is cut in the insulator sheet 138, the user's index finger can be inserted through the insulator sheet and pressure can be applied to the insulator sheet and the frame portions 102, 104, 106, and 108 using the thumb and the index finger to ensure good adhesion between the frame portions 102, 104, 106, and 108 and the insulator sheet 138 all around the opening 128. The space between the insulator sheet 138 and the window 140 can now be accessed for cleaning the window, removing frost from the window, removing condensation from the window, adjusting the shades or blinds, or cleaning an in-window air conditioner unit. Once the cleaning task is accomplished the user can close the opening 128 by moving the zipper slide to the closed position to thereby restore the insulating function of the insulator sheet 138. This procedure can be repeated whenever access to the window is desired without requiring a new insulator sheet to be applied to the window.

[0026] Another example of the application of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Plastic sheets 144 are commonly used to isolate areas of a building where renovation or construction activity is going on from areas that are occupied and where normal activities are being carried out. In such situations it would be desirable to provide a reclosable opening in the plastic sheet to allow ingress and egress of workers without disrupting the isolation of the areas of a building where renovation or construction activity is on going. Again, the adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system 100, in a large size version, can be used to provide a reclosable opening in the plastic sheet. The release liner 132 is removed and then the adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system 100 is applied over a portion of the surface of the plastic sheet 144. With the zipper open, a razor blade can then be used to cut an opening in registry with and having approximately the dimensions of the opening 128. In this application it may be desirable for the slide 126 to have pulls 130 on both sides as illustrated in FIG. 8. Workers can now pass through the opening 128 and then reseal the opening 128 by moving the slide 126 to the closed position.

[0027] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiment described above and that many modifications of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In its simplest form the present invention can include an adhesive-backed strip having a portion of a reclosable fastener system provided along one of its longer edges. A release liner would cover the adhesive side of the strip. The strip can then be supplied in the form of a roll. The strip carrying the complementary portion of the fastener system can be supplied in a separate roll. Desired lengths of each strip can then be cut from the respective roll and applied on either side of an existing opening or on either side of an opening that will be formed afterward. Preferably, the portions of the fastener system would be engaged before the two strips are adhered to the underlying surface in order to ensure proper positioning of the strips. The portions of the fastener system would then be disengaged before the opening is cut in the underlying surface. As an alternative, the strips on each roll could be provided with perforations at regular intervals to allow predetermined lengths of the strips to be torn off from each roll. The transverse portions 106 and 108 have the advantage that they prevent the cut in the underlying sheet from propagating uncontrollably. Lengths of adhesive tape can be placed over the ends of the strips such that each length of the adhesive tape overlaps both strips in order to provide the function of the transverse portions 106 and 108. If the fastening system is a zipper, then both the first and the second strip portions may be cut from the same roll depending upon the design of the zipper teeth. When the strip portions 102 and 104 are supplied on rolls and the fastener portions are of a type that use a slide to facilitate closing, a number of such slides can be packaged together and supplied for use with the rolls of strip portions.

[0028] As a further alternative embodiment, the strip portions 102 and 104 can be supplied as precut strips in a variety of lengths to suit different applications. Furthermore, the precut strips can be supplied fully assembled, with or without a slide, with the complementary fastener portions in engagement with each other. It should also be noted that even when the adhesive-backed fastener system includes transverse portions, as in the case of the embodiment 100 for example, the adhesive-backed fastener system can be supplied in a variety of lengths and sizes to suit different applications.

[0029] As yet another alternative embodiment, the transverse portions 106 and 108 need not have adhesive on their backside. Further, lines of perforations may separate the adhesive strip portions 102 and 104 from the transverse portions 106 and 108. This would allow the transverse portions to be torn off once the adhesive strips are applied. This embodiment may be particularly suitable for application to the opening of a bag.

[0030] As yet another alternative embodiment, flaps may be provided which cover the fastener system when the fastener system is in the closed configuration. Such a flap would help reduce leaks through the fastener system. Additionally, flaps can be provided on both sides of the fastener system. Further, the flaps may be provided with their own fastener system, or the flaps may have a portion coated with a weak adhesive that allows the flaps to be sealed over the fastener system closing the opening 128.

[0031] It should also be noted that the opening in the underlying surface can be provided prior to the application of the adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system 100 to the surface. This is particularly true when the adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system 100 is applied to the opening of a bag.

[0032] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the present invention disclosed above are susceptible to various modifications, changes and adaptations by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications, changes and adaptations are to be considered within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. An article of manufacture useful for providing a reclosable opening in a preexisting item, the article comprising: at least a first strip portion having a first edge, a second edge, and a backside; a first interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system provided about said first edge of said first strip portion and being substantially coextensive therewith; and an adhesive substantially covering said backside of said first strip portion.
 2. The article according to claim 1, further comprising a release liner substantially covering said backside of said first strip portion.
 3. The article according to claim 2, wherein said first interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system comprises a first plurality of zipper teeth distributed about said first edge of said first strip portion.
 4. The article according to claim 1, further comprising: at least a second strip portion having a first edge, a second edge, and a backside, said backside of said second strip portion being substantially covered by adhesive; a second interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system provided about said first edge of said second strip portion and being substantially coextensive therewith, said first interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system being selectively engageable with said second interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system to thereby selectively secure at least a portion of said first strip portion in a closed configuration relative to at least a portion of said second strip portion.
 5. The article according to claim 4, further comprising a first release liner portion substantially covering said backside of said first strip portion and a second release liner portion substantially covering said backside of said second strip portion.
 6. The article according to claim 4, wherein said first interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system comprises a first plurality of zipper teeth distributed about said first edge of said first strip portion and said second interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system comprises a second plurality of zipper teeth distributed about said first edge of said second strip portion, wherein said second plurality of zipper teeth are adapted to interlock with said first plurality of zipper teeth.
 7. The article according to claim 6, further comprising a zipper slide in engagement with at least one of said first plurality of zipper teeth and with at least one of said second plurality of zipper teeth, said zipper slide interlocking more of said first plurality of zipper teeth with more of said second plurality of zipper teeth when said zipper slide is moved in a first direction, said zipper slide disengaging an increasing number of said first plurality of zipper teeth from said second plurality of zipper teeth when said zipper slide is moved in a second direction that is in reverse relative to said first direction.
 8. The article according to claim 7, further comprising a first release liner portion substantially covering said backside of said first strip portion and a second release liner portion substantially covering said backside of said second strip portion.
 9. The article according to claim 4, wherein said first strip portion and said second strip portion each have a first end and a second end, the article further comprising: a first transverse portion, connecting said first end of said first strip portion and said first end of said second strip portion; and a second transverse portion connecting said second end of said first strip portion and said second end of said second strip portion, said first edge of said first strip portion and said first edge of said second strip portion extending substantially from said first transverse portion to said second transverse portion, and said first strip portion, said second strip portion, said first transverse portion, and said second transverse portion cooperatively framing an elongated opening.
 10. The article according to claim 9, wherein said first transverse portion and said second transverse portion each have a backside substantially covered by adhesive and wherein said backsides of said first strip portion, said second strip portion, said first transverse portion, and said second transverse portion are substantially covered with release lining.
 11. The article according to claim 10, wherein said first interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system comprises a first plurality of zipper teeth distributed about said first edge of said first strip portion and said second interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system comprises a second plurality of zipper teeth distributed about said first edge of said second strip portion, wherein said second plurality of zipper teeth are adapted to interlock with said first plurality of zipper teeth.
 12. The article according to claim 11, further comprising a zipper slide in engagement with at least one of said first plurality of zipper teeth and with at least one of said second plurality of zipper teeth, said zipper slide interlocking more of said first plurality of zipper teeth with more of said second plurality of zipper teeth when said zipper slide is moved in a first direction, said zipper slide disengaging an increasing number of said first plurality of zipper teeth from said second plurality of zipper teeth when said zipper slide is moved in a second direction that is in reverse relative to said first direction.
 13. A method of providing a reclosable opening in a preexisting item, the method comprising in any order the steps of: providing at least a first adhesive-backed strip portion having a first interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system provided about one edge thereof; providing at least a second adhesive-backed strip portion having a second interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system provided about one edge thereof, the first interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system being selectively engageable with the second interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system to thereby selectively secure at least a portion of the first adhesive-backed strip portion in a closed configuration relative to at least a portion of the second adhesive-backed strip portion; applying the first adhesive-backed strip portion and the second adhesive-backed strip portion to the item, the first adhesive-backed strip portion and the second adhesive-backed strip portion being positioned on the item such that the first interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system and the second interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system can be selectively engaged to one another to thereby selectively secure at least a portion of the first adhesive-backed strip portion in a closed configuration relative to at least a portion of the second adhesive-backed strip portion; and providing an opening in the item, the opening being located substantially intermediate the first adhesive-backed strip portion and the second adhesive-backed strip portion.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein each of the first adhesive-backed strip portion and the second adhesive-backed strip portion has a backside substantially covered by adhesive and is provided with a release liner which substantially covers the adhesive on the backside of each of the first adhesive-backed strip portion and the second adhesive-backed strip portion, the method further comprising the step of removing the release liner from each of the first adhesive-backed strip portion and the second adhesive-backed strip portion prior to the step of applying the first adhesive-backed strip portion and the second adhesive-backed strip portion to the item.
 15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system comprises a first plurality of zipper teeth and the second interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system comprises a second plurality of zipper teeth which are adapted to interlock with the first plurality of zipper teeth.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein a zipper slide is provided in engagement with at least one of the first plurality of zipper teeth and at least one of the second plurality of zipper teeth, the zipper slide interlocking more of the first plurality of zipper teeth with more of the second plurality of zipper teeth when the zipper slide is moved in a first direction, the zipper slide disengaging an increasing number of the first plurality of zipper teeth from the second plurality of zipper teeth when the zipper slide is moved in a second direction that is the reverse of the first direction.
 17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first adhesive-backed strip portion and the second adhesive-backed strip portion each have a first end and a second end, and wherein a first transverse portion connects the first end of the first adhesive-backed strip portion and the first end of the second adhesive-backed strip portion, a second transverse portion connects the second end of the first adhesive-backed strip portion and the second end of the second adhesive-backed strip portion, the first edge of said first adhesive-backed strip portion and the first edge of the second adhesive-backed strip portion extend substantially from the first transverse portion to the second transverse portion, and the first adhesive-backed strip portion, the second adhesive-backed strip portion, the first transverse portion, and the second transverse portion cooperatively frame an elongated opening.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first transverse portion and the second transverse portion each have a backside substantially covered by adhesive, wherein the first and second adhesive-backed strip portions each have backsides, and wherein the backsides of the first adhesive-backed strip portion, the second adhesive-backed strip portion, the first transverse portion, and the second transverse portion are substantially covered with release lining, and the method further comprises the step of removing release lining from the backsides of the first adhesive-backed strip portion, the second adhesive-backed strip portion, the first transverse portion, and the second transverse portion prior to the step of applying the first adhesive-backed strip portion and the second adhesive-backed strip portion to the item.
 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the first interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system comprises a first plurality of zipper teeth and the second interlockable portion of a reclosable fastener system comprises a second plurality of zipper teeth which are adapted to interlock with the first plurality of zipper teeth, and wherein a zipper slide is provided in engagement with at least one of the first plurality of zipper teeth and at least one of the second plurality of zipper teeth, the zipper slide interlocking more of the first plurality of zipper teeth with more of the second plurality of zipper teeth when the zipper slide is moved in a first direction, the zipper slide disengaging an increasing number of the first plurality of zipper teeth from the second plurality of zipper teeth when the zipper slide is moved in a second direction that is the reverse of the first direction.
 20. An adhesive-backed reclosable fastener system comprising: a flexible frame defining an opening through said frame, said frame having an adhesive backside; and a reclosable closure supported by said frame, said reclosable closure being capable of assuming closed and open configurations, said reclosable closure permitting access through said opening through said frame when said reclosable closure is in said open configuration, and said reclosable closure at least deterring access through said opening through said frame when said reclosable closure is in said closed configuration. 